We are greatly concerned by the suffering aquatic animals are subjected to in aquaculture. Poor water quality, overcrowding, rough handling and transport, and inhumane slaughter methods are just a few of the issues we see again and again. These can lead to breathing difficulties, fighting, injuries and a huge amount of stress, pain and suffering.
However, the reality is that we do not yet know the best ways to fix all of these issues. Some, we have more information about – e.g. how to improve water quality. But for others, there simply isn’t enough data yet – e.g. how to kill animals in the most humane way possible.
This is made more complicated by the fact that every species has different needs. For instance, the optimal conditions for a particular species of carp will be different from the optimal conditions for another species of carp. And the optimal conditions for a species of shrimp will be vastly different again.
This is why research is essential – and a central component of ESR’s work. We are a team of scientists, researchers and animal welfare experts, working to find the best ways to reduce suffering in aquaculture as much as possible.
We publish peer-reviewed research papers every year. Our Founder and Head of Research, Wasseem Emam, recently published a highly cited review of the welfare of Nile tilapia in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, as well as research papers in Environmental Science & Policy and the Journal of Animal Ethics.
Research projects currently underway are investigating (1) enrichment to reduce stress for farmed shrimp, and (2) humane slaughter methods for shrimp.
We share research findings through our network of government, university and industry partners, as well as at international events and conferences.
